An old arrest can appear when you thought a case was finished. Before seeking record relief, identify the record, how every charge ended, and which legal route may apply. Miller & Jacobs helps you assess eligibility and understand what a sealing or expungement order can accomplish.
Keep the report or application that raised the concern. It can help distinguish an official record, a private background report, and an inaccurate entry.
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Mark J. Miller and Rick S. Jacobs
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A closed case, withheld adjudication, and expunged record mean different things. Our Orlando criminal defense practice can discuss the underlying matter and whether later record relief is available.
Bring the actual disposition rather than a summary that the case was “dropped” or “finished.” Different outcomes within one matter may affect the appropriate route. Eligibility should be assessed before an application is prepared.
Counsel needs an accurate history, including juvenile matters, prior adjudications, supervision, and earlier sealing or expungement. A fact from another case may matter even if it is not the record you want addressed now.
Section 943.059 governs court-ordered sealing. Sealing limits public access while allowing specified access and disclosure exceptions. It should not be described as erasing the event for every purpose.
Section 943.0585 governs court-ordered expungement. Qualifying records are treated differently from sealed records, but statutory retention, access, and disclosure rules still matter. Ask what the proposed order would cover.
You may be seeking a job, applying for housing, or simply trying to understand what others can see. Those concerns deserve a precise answer about the record and the relief the law permits. A realistic explanation is more useful than a promise that every trace will disappear.
For the usual court-ordered route, agency review and the petition are separate stages. The Orange County Clerk’s sealing and expungement page describes local filing materials. The correct court and requirements depend on the record involved.
Counsel should review the offense, disposition, history, and purpose of the request. Juvenile and other specialized relief can involve different rules. Do not assume one form fits every record.
The application may require certified dispositions, identifying information, fingerprints, and other material specified by the applicable process. Use the actual records to avoid inconsistencies between the arrest, charges, and final outcome.
FDLE’s application instructions identify the requirements for a certificate. An application is not an order, and issuance of a certificate does not guarantee that the court will grant relief.
Once the required certificate is issued, counsel can prepare the petition and supporting documents for the court with jurisdiction. Any request for more information or hearing should be addressed through that process.
Retain certified paperwork and discuss which agencies should receive it. If a private report still displays information, that may require separate follow-up. Do not assume every website updates automatically when a court acts.
Call the Orlando office with the case number, outcome, and reason you are seeking relief. We can discuss the eligibility review and the work involved.
If you cannot locate an old order, provide the county, approximate date, name used, and any case number. Counsel can discuss how to identify the relevant records. Keep copies of material already submitted to an agency or court.
Mark J. Miller or Rick S. Jacobs can review the matter and explain the proposed engagement. Ask what legal analysis, application work, court filing, and follow-up are included. A meaningful consultation should address both whether relief may be available and what it would change.
Mark J. Miller is a former assistant state attorney admitted to The Florida Bar in 1995. His experience includes more than 70 jury trials to verdict across his legal career. Read his biography and ask about his approach to your matter.
Read Mark’s Bio →
Rick S. Jacobs is a former assistant state attorney admitted to The Florida Bar in 1995. His experience includes more than 160 jury trials to verdict across his legal career. His biography provides background for the conversation about your defense.
Read Rick’s Bio →Separate attorney fees from other costs. Ask about records, fingerprinting, agency processing, filing expenses, and any additional proceeding. Confirm the scope and expected costs before the application work begins.
The answer should be based on the complete history and the kind of relief sought.
No. For the court-ordered process, the certificate supports a petition to the court. Give counsel the certificate and issuance date, because it has a limited validity period and the remaining steps still matter.
It may be, depending on the applicable law, outcome, history, and eligibility rules. A felony label alone is not a complete eligibility decision. Have the actual charges and disposition reviewed.
Do not assume so. The jurisdiction, record, and agency involved must be identified. A Florida petition is not a general order clearing every record maintained elsewhere.
Keep the report and the correct court documents. Correcting inaccurate information may be a separate issue from sealing or expungement. Counsel can discuss the appropriate process and whether both issues need attention.
No universal answer applies. Statutory exceptions and the question asked can require disclosure in certain settings. Before answering, review the actual application, type of proceeding, and effect of the order with qualified counsel.
No. Agency review, record collection, and court action affect timing and outcome. Call 407-465-8733 to discuss the record and current process. The Orlando office is at 5401 S. Kirkman Road, Suite 660, Orlando, FL 32819.
